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Thursday, January 24, 2013

philSTAR.com: Anne of a Thousand Hits

Before the whole brouhaha escalates into the Third World War, I deem it wise to put things in the proper perspective.

At the outset, I want to apologize to the Honorable Senators for unwittingly stealing (part of the) thunder from them…sorry POE!

And, most importantly, I want to make it clear that I hold no grudge against or any resentment toward Anne Hathaway. I still love her dearly, even if she made me cry (no, not during the Les Miserables junket in Tokyo first week of December last year but) over her heart-wrenching I Dreamed a Dream scene in the movie for which, as the whole world knows, she lost 25 pounds. She plays Fantine with her body and soul, giving her all to the role once played by her mom, Kate Mc-Cauley Hathaway, during the musical’s national tour, doesn’t she?

Our Les Miz encounter was the second. The first was in 2004 in L.A. during the junket for Princess Diaries where the great Julie Andrews played Anne’s grandmother. At that time, Anne was not yet the big star that she is now, made even bigger by her recent Golden Globe Best Supporting award (yes, for Les Miz). She was as sweet and as adorable as the Princess of Genovia that she played in Diaries, although not as regal as Miss Julie who, I noticed, was just as queenly off camera, addressing by their first names the media guys during the round-table interview with a friendly smile (she politely requested everybody to introduce themselves before the interview) and taking her cup of tea with the daintiness of a lady to the manner born.

The Anne Hathaway Les Miz TV interview (as differentiated from the print interview) came out edited in Startalk two Saturdays ago, together with those of her Les Miz co-stars Amanda Seyfried (as the adult Cosette) and Hugh Jackman (as Jean Valjean), three weeks after the airing of my TV interviews (also edited) with Les Miz co-producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Tom Hooper. Nice guys, those two, very engaging and very accommodating, answering the questions with unbridled enthusiasm.

When the unedited Anne interview came out on philstar.com last week, I never imagined that it would generate that kind of reaction from netizens around the world, in the process polarizing them into pros and cons, with each side trying to drive home its point with unfathomable passion. We reviewed the tape before uploading it and, honestly, we didn’t find anything wrong with it. In fact, being used to interviewing Hollywood stars for more than two decades now, I found it more amusing than anything.
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As soon as Anne and I sat down for the TV interview at a suite of the posh Ritz Carlton in Roponggi Hills, we swapped “Hi’s!” I gave her a copy of The STAR which carried my 2004 Princess Diaries with her. Anne took a quick look at it and said, “Oh, memories, memories!” and put the paper aside. I was overwhelmed by her big, beautiful eyes that highlighted her face framed by a very becoming cropped hairdo. Yes, aside from losing weight, she also lost some of her hair for Fantine (the same role played by Lea Salonga in the musical’s stage version, only a few years after she had played Eponine [played by Samantha Barks in Les Miz the movie], the only actress I know who has played both roles).

My two Conversations with Anne, first in 2004 for Princess Diaries where she played the Princess of Genoa and in 2012 for Les Miserables where she plays the prostitute Fantine

Oh yes, without her being physically present, Lea became a part of my interview with Anne even if she was in the States. You see, before flying to Tokyo, I texted Lea if she wanted me to convey any message to Anne who was quoted in a December 2012 issue of Vogue magazine as saying, “First of all, it could never have compared with Patti LuPone or Lea Salonga, or even my mom, really: powerful singers with big, beautiful voices, I knew I could never offer that, but I also knew it wouldn’t be appropriate. If I went for sounding beautiful while looking like this tragic wreck, it would be ridiculous. And I saw an opportunity, because of the nature of film, to just go for it and let it be alive and present and raw.” (Like the rest of the actors in the movie, Anne sang live during the shoot, with the musical background put it later.)

Lea texted this message, “Just say thank you to Anne for me for that Vogue shoutout. Show her this text and maybe she’ll give you a hug, hehehehe!” Well, I didn’t get “a hug” from Anne, not that I was hoping for it.

During the TV interview (limited to no more than five minutes), I usually ask the star interviewees standard questions with expectedly not too long answers, such as, 1). How did you prepare for the role, 2). How are you similar to or different from your role? and 3). Could you invite your fans (in the Philippines) to watch the movie? (After all, the junket is meant to promote the movie, isn’t it?). I reserve the rest of my questions for the round-table print interview.

I asked Amanda and Hugh the same questions and, in fairness to them, they didn’t find them “personal” and they proceeded to answer them during the free-flowing conversation, agreeing to invite their Filipino fans to watch Les Miz. I was surprised why Anne found “too personal” the questions about how she regained the 25 pounds that she had lost and how, for somebody perceived to lead a life of comfort and luxury, she was able to identify with Fantine who, in the Victor Hugo novel on which the musical was based, was driven by poverty to prostitution.

She perked up when I showed her Lea’s text message and launched into “praises to high heavens” for Lea. When she gave me back my cellphone, I accidentally dropped it, prompting Anne to exclaim, “Be careful!”

I felt that she wasn’t in the mood during the interview. I learned later that the other Asian journalists (from Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tokyo, etc.) felt the same way, recalling their own separate encounters with Anne. “She seemed not to be in a good mood,” said one. “She was a bit rude, wasn’t she?” said another. “I used to love her, but not anymore,” said still another journalist. To appease everybody, I said, “I think she’s suffering from jetlag because she flew in from the States!” (During the print interview, asked if she was jetlagged, Anne said with a wide smile, “No. Jetlag is only a state of mind.”)

What happened during the print interview a few hours later was another story that doesn’t need to be told.

Anyway, being a computer-semi-illiterate (even if I have a mini iPad and I am typing this story on my office computer…that’s the only thing I know about the computer…typing my story!), I haven’t been aware of the heated exchange on The Net; I learn about it only from friends who continue to text me. I heard that the website has been getting thousands of hits, so thank you POE! Commented Tempo’s Ronald Constantino, “Much ado about nothing!”

So, how do I feel about Anne Hathaway’s attitude during the TV interview? Was I offended? No, I wasn’t. Was I “intrusive”? I don’t think so. Did I find her “rude”? Hmmmm, only a bit, although I must say that (ehem!) the more than 200 other Hollywood stars I have interviewed were absolutely more delightful, far nicer and totally engaging. I remember what Harrison Ford said when Kris Aquino and I interviewed him in 1997 in Hawaii for Six Days, Seven Nights (with Anne Heche as his leading lady), after I mentioned that he was reported to be media-shy, “I flew all the way from the US Mainland for this junket so I have to be nice to (the media) because you are the stars’ conduit to the public.”

Believe me, I repeat, I found the whole Anne Hathaway experience simply amusing. No kidding!

Now, given a chance, would I ever interview Anne Hathaway again? By all means, yes!

But next time, I would remember to ask her only “not personal” questions such as, 1). What’s your favorite color?, 2). What’s your favorite song, and 3). What’s your favorite pet?, but never, never, a question like “What did you have for breakfast today?” because she might find it “too personal.”

Meanwhile, excuse me while I rush to a theater nearby to watch Les Miz again, and cry some more over Anne’s I Dreamed a Dream scene.

(Note: The title of today’s piece was inspired by the Genevieve Bujold starrer Anne of a Thousand Days in which she played Anne Boleyn who was ordered beheaded by King Henry VIII.)

Why can't he talk as taray as he writes? Obvious ba na ang galing ng writer nya? If I were him, he should be learn how to be articulate man lang and updated with what's going on around him. Haller! Tumanda ka na sa industry yet you're still a mediocre!!

Exactly! This article was his last saving grace from his (or her) oh-so-embarrassing interview pero he (or she) still chose to be sarcastic. Naku, Ricky, mah dahling. Anne is the bigger star no. Kahit starlet status nga, di mo naabot. Besides, column writers such as you are a bunch of paid hacks anyway.

I find it funny Anonymous 4:08, that you would compare Anne to Ricky in terms of who is the bigger star. Ricky never claimed to be bigger than Anne, nor does he show any inclination towards being a thespian like her. And just like Ricky, I'm sure there are a lot of writers here (me included) who are more articulate writing their thoughts than telling Ricky to his face what they think.

So easy to judge people without looking at oneself. Ricky wrote this himself because just like in his columns, the English is not perfect, same as your English and mine. Wala naman talagang perfect, lahat sumasabit paminsan-minsan.

I agree with Anon 3:23 AM. Like a lot of people, I did not like how Ricky handled the interview, but don't bash him for his diction, I'd rather hear FILIPINOS speak English with diction of their native language than trying hard American accent ones.

I don't see anything wrong with the interview as well until the latter part particularly on the part wherein Lo is asking Anne to give out a message to Lea and letting Anne invite Filipino viewers to watch LeMiz.

I think he was trying to be funny. It's not sarcasm, it's irony. Also, I don't think he needs our pity. As a writer, PhilStar probably asked him to redeem himself through this article. It's called damage control. What did you want him to say anyway? That he sucked, and he'd never write again because of the embarrassment? We all noticed his fumbling attempt to interview a star, but forgave Anne her bad manners because she was a big star? So asan ang values natin?

@9:46 he could've been gracious and redeemed himself without resorting to sarcasm (btw, the article is sarcastic not ironic).

"I was surprised why Anne found “too personal” the questions about how she regained the 25 pounds that she had lost and how, for somebody perceived to lead a life of comfort and luxury, she was able to identify with Fantine who, in the Victor Hugo novel on which the musical was based, was driven by poverty to prostitution." - he should've read zafra's take para magets nya anong mali sa nangyari. tsk tigas ulo.

Hahaha! Matuto sana sya ng leksyon.. I agree about the comment about ghost writer.. Kasi kung ganun sya ka bubbly or well verse during the interview then it will never happen di ba? Magaling ka pala mag sulat why you cant translate it during the interview?

Bakit naman yung isang interview ni Anne with another pinoy interviewer - okay naman! Very lively and game si anne! Si ricky lo, ano daw yung mga questions nya. His long experience in his so called industry seemed like he never learn any from it! Big DUH!

Kung maxadong picky or touchy ung star in answering the question then she wont b obliged to answer it but dont take it against the interviewer... Hirap kc sating mga pinoy maxado tayong starstruck kc c anne hathaway un so she should always be treated specially ... Disregarding the not so good manners that she displayed... D n tlga maalis ang colonialism satin

Corerct Epallang.. Yung iba kasi hndi na nakita yung pagiging rude ni Anne dahil lang si Anne yun. Yupz, may palpak talaga si RL sa ibang question nya lalo na yung give a msg to Lea - that was so inappropriate dahil wala naman si Lea sa movie at ni hindi naman super close si Anne at Lea para sa msg.. Pero yung last na sinabi ni Anne kay RL abt "why don't you invite them" I think that was rude. I don't really like Anne as an actress and I like her even less ngayon dahil sa pinakita nyang hindi magandang asal. If she's not comfortable with the questions then she should have relayed it to RL politely. I think naman that no one would like to be treated the way Anne treated RL eh diba?

Mr? Ricky Lo, piece of advice, before you start interviewing celebs please, dont bring your cphone or atleast put in inside your pocket because most people find it very rude. No wonder Anne, wasn't in the good mood because of what you did not to mention your lame questions. Well, goodluck next time, hope this serves you a lesson.

to anon 10:15, i do agree that not everyone is good in public speaking, or speaking in general. but as ricky lo has stated in the article above, he has interviewed more than 200 hollywood actors, and that's excluding our local celebrities, shouldn't he be used to interviewing people already? shouldn't he have honed the craft of interviewing people, famous ones at that? just saying.

at tayo pa talaga ang mahihiya kay anne? siya nga ang dapat ang mahiya sa atin. we are doing her a favor for sending someone to promote their movie. and what did we get in return? her bitchiness na masyadong dinidignify ng karamihan.

1.) She was as sweet and as adorable as the Princess of Genovia that she played in Diaries, although not as regal as Miss Julie who, I noticed, was just as queenly off camera, addressing by their first names the media guys during the round-table interview with a friendly smile (she politely requested everybody to introduce themselves before the interview) and taking her cup of tea with the daintiness of a lady to the manner born. - bakit may focus bigla kay julie andrews? may gustong iparinig?

2.) Nice guys, those two, very engaging and very accommodating, answering the questions with unbridled enthusiasm. - patama #2

3.) I asked Amanda and Hugh the same questions and, in fairness to them, they didn’t find them “personal” and they proceeded to answer them during the free-flowing conversation, agreeing to invite their Filipino fans to watch Les Miz. - patama #3

4.) To appease everybody, I said, “I think she’s suffering from jetlag because she flew in from the States!” (During the print interview, asked if she was jetlagged, Anne said with a wide smile, “No. Jetlag is only a state of mind.”) - so ano gusto ni lo palabasin? bait-baitan pa kuno sabay may panama pala

5.) Did I find her “rude”? Hmmmm, only a bit, although I must say that (ehem!) the more than 200 other Hollywood stars I have interviewed were absolutely more delightful, far nicer and totally engaging. - patama uli

6.) “I flew all the way from the US Mainland for this junket so I have to be nice to (the media) because you are the stars’ conduit to the public.” - nyahaha nagparinig pa

7.) But next time, I would remember to ask her only “not personal” questions such as, 1). What’s your favorite color?, 2). What’s your favorite song, and 3). What’s your favorite pet?, but never, never, a question like “What did you have for breakfast today?” because she might find it “too personal.” - eto na pinakasarcastic sa lahat

The issue here is about Ricky Lo's interview, not if i am sensitive or not. I have my opinion on the matter just like you. You don't have to get personal. I might agree with you that the questions per se were not personal but the problem was how they were formulated/delivered. Another thing is that, he was not interested on the answers of his subject. He could have listened well. She was implying that she felt less impressive. At that point he could have told Anne: You might not have Leas or your moms voice but that does not make you less impressive. In fact what you did here is more than exceptional. I am not surprised that at this early people are talking about an Oscar statue for you. He could have gotten the interview on the right track again. But he was just interested on throwing the next question. You're right that Anne is not the only srtist in Hollywood but who is important or who is not is irrelevant. Ricky Lo clearly said it, he is still willing to interview Anne even though she was a bit rude. So for Ricky Lo Anne is still important.

It is how the local showbiz writing has evolved all these years. I remember my mom used to say that the personal and intrusive kind of questions were not allowed in the heydays. LVN and Sampaguita Studios were very strict that their stars remain glamorous and finesse in everything and everywhere.

Then with time, media clout has changed to mean that gossips, rumours and sensationalized stories were what would sell magazines, newspapers and especially tabloids.

But if you notice in Hollywood, there is still the distinction between entertainment writing, journalism and tabloid articles. The Philippines would also have the journalists against the writers. The output and end-result will determine at which level the author is at.

Regardless of cultural differences, research and personal preferences are vital in determining the success of an interview --- research well about the subject and set aside personality and personal interests to get the meat out of the interview.

Ricky Lo lost his focus during his interview because he can't wait to tell Anne that he's a friend of Lea. Instead of listening to Anne, he was more excited to show Lea's text message. Kaya nung nasupalpal sya ni Anne, the more his interview failed. What a waste of time and money for his trip only to come up with a lousy interview.

1.) Ricky asked her how she lost her weight.- Anne has been very vocal to all her interviews about it. She was even asked at Good Morning America, and other talk show hosts about it and she always say "You dont want to know". She didnt want to encourage young girls to do what she did in losing weight. It was very frightening if young ladies will even learn about it. It is a very dangerous drastic weight loss.so, when you asked her that question.. she just said "Thats too personal".

2.) Ricky asked her about "how can she relate to the character Fantine".- There were photos of her about the wardrobe malfunction that's all over the interne now. She mentioned in her interview that people were trying to associate her with Fantine because she's vulnerable and so as Fantine, and Fantine is a prostitute in the movie and so as her when her pictures were taken without her underwear (showing her vagina). She felt really bad about it. And then guess what? Ricky asked her that question.

Maybe Ricky Lo should do MORE research next time before firing out the questions. After claiming that he had interviewed 205 hollywood celebrities, he should have known better.

To the manor born, NOT "to the manner born". Mr. Lo, if you are going to use idioms, please make sure you write them correctly. How can he have a ghost writer if the article is still as atrocious as his interview?!